Category: Uncategorized

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Pohnpei visit

Dr. Des Soares, Dr. Vernon Moo (anaesthetist) and Nurse practitioner Lisa Yang visited Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia from  11 to 19th November 2017. The visit was aimed at supporting PIOA trainee Dr. Johnny Hedson who has worked as one fo two surgeons on Pohnpei for many years.

The team dealt with a number of trauma cases that had malunions and chronic elbow dislocations. They also did 4 hip hemiarthroplasties. Below is one  38 year old lady who had a nonunion f a subcapital fracture for the past year and who had not been able to weight bear.

On the last day Dr Johnny took the team to visit the World Heritage Nan Madol area and deep sea fishing.

 

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PIOA congratulates first graduate Dr. Stephen Kodovaru

PIOA is delighted to announce the graduation of our first student, Stephen Kodovaru from Solomon Islands who has successfully completed his training and passed the final exit exams. The independent external examiners were Dr. Richard Lander from New Zealand and Dr. John North from Australia. Stephen will play a central role in further developing the PIOA program.

PIOA students singing to celebrate the graduation of Stephen Kodovaru (click link to view)

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PIOA meet with Prime Minister of Samoa

Dr. Des Soares, PIOA Director of Training,  met with  the Honorable Prime Minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi of Samoa on 13 June 2017,
 to discuss the PIOA training program. The Prime Minister was very interested in our model of training doctors in orthopaedics,
 using a module approach that minimised the time away from their hospitals and home countries.
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PIOA agreement with AO Alliance Foundation

PIOA has signed a partnership agreement with the AO Alliance Foundation, which is the premier orthopaedic education foundation worldwide. This was only possible because of the tireless efforts of Dr. Herman Oberli, founding member of PIOA and a strong advocate for the improvement of the management of trauma in the Pacific Islands. We also wish to thank our generous sponsor, Hans Joerg Wyss, for his partnership in our work. This agreement means that PIOA has stable funding for the next 5 years and can continue to train orthopaedic surgeons from Pacific Island countries. PIOA is now the accepted leader for orthopaedic training in the Pacific Island countries.
From L to R: Suthorn Bavonratanavech, AO Foundation representative; Joachim Prein(Vice-Chair), Rolf Jeker(Chair), Jaime Quintero, Board Member. Standing: Dr. Hermann Oberli
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PIOA agreement with TTM Hospital, Apia, Samoa.

PIOA training Director held discussion with the National University of Samoa. The Dean of the Medical School Lemamea Dr. Limbo Fiu and Lecturer Dr. Dyxon Hansell are progressing discussions. It is hoped the National University of Samoa will accredit the PIOA training program as a Master of Surgery (Orthopaedics).
PIOA training Director signed a training agreement with Leituala Dr. Ben Matalavea, covering Dr Shaun Mauiliu and Dr Areta Samuelu and any future trainees from TTM Hospital. This agreement is valid for a period of 5 years.
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VANUATU CYCLONE PAM RELIEF

Dr. Basil Leodoro from Vanuatu has been the Medevac coordinator at Vila Central Hospital. Basil attended his first PIOA module in February. He requested additional assistance in the form of personnel and ex-fix equipment.
PIOA has been able to assist the staff at the Vila Central Hospital by sending Dr Stephen Kodovaru and operating theatre RN Mary Maneporaa from Solomon Islands. They stayed in Vila for 10 days to help with dealing with trauma following the cylcone.
Please click here to read a report on the PIOA Vanuatu relief trip by Stephen Kodovaru.
In addition Dr. Mark Rokobuli, one of our trainees from Fiji has been deployed with the Royal Fiji Military to assist in Vila.
PIOA was also able to coordinate and deliver ex-fix equipment donated by Stryker Orthopaedics, and Dot Dash (Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics) and some battery drills donated by Greenslopes Hospital.
 
Dr. Basil Leodoro reviewing a child who suffered burns while trying to help his family get rid of cyclone debris.
Dr. Trevor Culwick receiving ex-fix gear carried by PIOA (donated by Dot Dash, Stryker and Greenslopes Hospital)

Dr. Basil Leodoro co-ordinating Medevac flights for injured patients on the outer islands

         

Cyclone Pam affected people in Port Vila queuing for food rations.

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Introducing Kabiri Itaka from Kiribati

PIOA welcomes our newest trainee, Dr. Kabiri Itaka from Kiribati.
 
Dr Itaka is one of only two surgeons in his nation serving a population of approximately 100,000 people. To date any orthopaedic trauma in Kiribati is held over for formal management by a visiting team from Brisbane that comes only once a year. Dr. Itaka will now be able to take a much more active role in managing his injured patients.
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GB Orthopaedics

Thank you to GB Orthopaedics for their kind donation of Ponsetti boots and bars for the Club Foot programme in the Solomon Islands.Dr. Stephen Kodovare was able to visit the GB Orthopaedics workshop in Brisbane and see how prostheses are made.

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PIOA agreement with International College of Surgeons

PIOA reaches an agreement with the International College of Surgeons (ICS).
The ICS has agreed to recognise successful graduates of the PIOA training programme as Fellows of the International College of Surgeons. A copy of the formal letter from ICS is available here. PIOA is the first training organisation in the Pacific to obtain formal recognition of its graduates by the International College of Surgeons.